Director of Public Prosecutions (Hansard, 14 November 1988)

§ 64. Mr. Janner
To ask the Attorney-General when he last met the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what matters were discussed.

§ The Solicitor-General
On Thursday 10 November 1988. We discussed matters of departmental interest.

§ Mr. Janner
Will the hon. and learned Gentleman please consider using the Malicious Communications Act 1988 to prosecute the perpetrators of racist, anti-semitic and other evil publications sent through the post, such as Holocaust News? Will he also consider a filthy journal called "Choice", which is published by the Dowager Lady Birdwood? It reached my hon. Friend the Member for Easington (Mr. Cummings) today and has been sent to other hon. Members. Does he think that the Dowager Lady Birdwood, whose wealth, influence and position lie behind much of the Fascist and Nazi organisations in this country, should be prosecuted under that Act?

§ The Solicitor-General
If the hon. and learned Gentleman will let me have a copy of the document in question, I shall have it looked at.

§ Mr. Hind
Given the problems of overcrowding in prisons, when my hon. and learned Friend has discussions with the Director of Public Prosecutions, will he consider the possibility of overturning the case of Turner—which was decided by the Court of Appeal—to allow counsel to plea-bargain in the judge's room to establish, for the benefit of an accused person, what the judge thinks the sentence will be should the accused plead guilty? In this way, the process of law throughout Crown courts will be speeded up and the number of people held on remand will be reduced.

§ The Solicitor-General
I shall discuss the matter with my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor.